as in to explode
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure
the bomb detonated with a thunder that could be heard for blocks in all directions
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Recent Examples of detonate
Poseidon had been described as a doomsday weapon that is designed to create a massive radioactive tsunami by detonating near coastal targets.
—
Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
In between detonating bombs hidden in Christmas presents and disfiguring the entire police force, Art sets his sights on the Shaw family.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The move could end a nearly three-decade period during which none of the world’s major nuclear powers have detonated a nuclear weapon.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
North Korea is the only nation that has detonated nuclear weapons since 1998.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
In between detonating bombs hidden in Christmas presents and disfiguring the entire police force, Art sets his sights on the Shaw family.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The move could end a nearly three-decade period during which none of the world’s major nuclear powers have detonated a nuclear weapon.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
North Korea is the only nation that has detonated nuclear weapons since 1998.
—Brian Bennett, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detonate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detonate
Verb
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By Fortune’s estimates, drawn from industry data, the value of all direct deals, using the broad definition of single investments in private companies, will explode to something like $200 billion this year, multiple the number several years ago.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
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Jacques Torres Classic Hot Chocolate Bombs These decadent hot chocolate bombs from master chocolatier Jacques Torres are exploding with flavor.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The crowd at the Rogers Centre nearly blew the roof off the place as Bichette jogged around the bases.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
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That team pulled off this same trick, blowing the doors off all comers until slipping past USC.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rachmansky went all-in on what set his company apart, building a B2B model designed to service the growing amount of independent stores that were popping up seemingly overnight.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
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Even then, the first name that popped up was indeed Kravitz’s.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detonate. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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